At last year’s Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba, a vibrant mix of agriculturalists grabbed the opportunity to spend a day or two away from the field and to pave the way for better things to come. The indaba was opened by agriculture, land reform and rural development minister Thoko Didiza. Photos: Gabi du Plessis/Food For Mzansi
There’s bling. There’s a buzz. And there’s an undeniable energy among the farmers of Mzansi who are ready to level up. What’s more, is that they travelled from far and wide to be at the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba today.
“I believe knowledge is powerful and I think this is the place I will get it,” said Khulufelo Monama, a poultry farmer from the Vaal. She was one of the first guests to arrive before 07:00 this morning and captured the sentiment of the day.
Heavy topics and information sessions aside, a couple of hundred guests took a day or two off from their farms and businesses and grabbed the chance to network and socialise with like-minded people.
Food For Mzansi walked the floor for some of the biggest smiles.
Minky Kgopa, a sunflower farmer from North West, grabbed the opportunity to take a picture with national agriculture, land reform and rural development minister Thoko Didiza. Photos: Gabi du Plessis/Wingman CommunicationsKhulefelo Monama and Letlhonolo Tlale were among the first farmers to arrive at the Hotel Sky in Sandton.Christine Mesolo and Phiwokuhle Shabangu, both chicken farmers from Gauteng.Pictured on the left is Simphiwe Yawa, a citrus farmer from the Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape. Pictured on the right is Sthabisile Ginya, a student from KwaZulu-Natal who is studying animal production at Unisa.Pretty Seabela is crop farmer, farming with spinach and beetroot.Farmers Andiswa Kunene and Zizipho Weleme.Cindy Ndlovu, a crop farmer from nearby Soweto.Vulindlela Ntila and Menzi Hadebe, new farmers setting up a stokvel to power their new operation.Amy Grundling, a postgraduate student in agri economics, with Shané Rudolph, head of market research and development at Agri SA Enterprises.Molebogeng Kakhudu and Kagiso Mahlangu, members of the cooperative Tom Rakhudu Poultry Farm in the East Rand.Lehlongolo MaeselaTsobane Sebanjane and Banelise Mhlanga from Agri SA Enteprises.Keabetswe Letshalo and Precious Hlogwane
